Inpatient maternity services at Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry will be temporarily consolidated at Craigavon Area Hospital from Monday, November 23. The Southern Health and Social Care Trust confirmed the decision after being unable to secure enough consultant obstetricians to safely staff the Newry unit.

On Tuesday, November 3, the Southern Trust Board approved the move following consideration of the current workforce position and continuity plans to maintain safe care.

Local politicians have expressed personal disappointment. Newry and Armagh MP Dáire Hughes, whose wife is expecting their first child in early January, said they had hoped the baby would be born at Daisy Hill. He described the care received at the hospital as exceptional and praised the staff.

Hughes said there are expectant mothers across Newry and Armagh who have greater medical need, live further from Craigavon, have other children or caring responsibilities, or may not have the same level of family support. He also noted concerns about Craigavon's capacity and ambulance availability, saying in an obstetric emergency there is no such thing as a safe journey time.

Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins said the decision is devastating for pregnant women and maternity staff. She said the trust must redouble efforts to reinstate services as soon as possible and that temporary must mean temporary.

UNISON has called on the Southern Trust and the Department of Health to provide a credible, time-bound plan for the return of consultant-led maternity services to Daisy Hill. Regional organiser James Large presented a petition with over 13,000 signatures opposing the transfer at a trust board meeting. Large said temporary often becomes permanent by default and called for clear milestones, a workforce plan, and accountability.

Phoenix Law's human rights lawyers have initiated legal action against the Southern Trust following the decision. Solicitor Jack Murphy, acting for a local expectant mother, said his client fears traveling to Craigavon. He said many parents have explained that the journey was not feasible in their time of need.